Biodegradable Stents in Companion Animals: A Systematic Scoping Review

Objective: Describe the existing scientific literature regarding the feasibility and behavior of biodegradable stents (BDSs) in companion animals. Study Design: Systematic scoping review. Methods: A literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and followed the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. The search was performed by using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, focusing on BDS usage in companion animals' urinary, respiratory, and digestive systems including choledochal duct. Results: In total, 233 articles were identified but only 21 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Ninety percent (n = 19) of the investigation was conducted in animal models aiming translational to humans, and only two studies involved clinical cases. Regarding application, 42.9% was focused on the urinary system, 19% assessed vascular stenting, 14.3% esophageal stenting, 19% choledochal duct stenting, and 4.8% tracheal stenting. Polylactic acid (PLA) was the most used biomaterial. Conclusion: This review summarized the use of BDS in companion animals, highlighting that most studies were conducted in animals without clinical disease, with most reporting a low incidence of self-limiting complications. Clinical Significance: This review underscores the potential impact of BDS on companion animals. Further research is necessary to explore BDS's full potential in small animal medicine.